Highlight any five functions of the Secretary of State for the colonies in the colonial period.
Explanation
i. Responsible and accountable to the British parliament.
ii. Advised the governors on the affairs of the colonies e.g. during crisis.
iii. Recommended people to the crown to be appointed as governors for the colonies.
iv. Supervised the colonial administration by giving directives to the Governors based on the British policies.
v. Received petitions and grievances from the colonies on behalf of the British parliament.
vi. Submitted annual reports to the British on the colonies to the crown through the parliament.
vii. Approved the drafting of a new constitution for the colonies.
viii. Controlled the finances of the colonies through approval of budgets and auditing of accounts.
x. Set up Commissions of enquiry to investigate issues in the colonies.
xi. He could disallow any law which was not consistent with British colonial policies.
xii. He could override the Governors veto and power of certification.
xiii. He approved major projects to be undertaken in the colonies.